for the reform of government institutions like the Attorney General Chambers (AGC),
Royal Malaysia Police, Election Commission, the Judiciary and Malaysian Anti-corruption
Commission (MACC). SUHAKAM included its report on the National Inquiry into the Land
Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The IRC had, in turn, forwarded its recommendations to
the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) for consideration. SUHAKAM also participated in a
series of technical meetings and was appointed to be part of a task force established
by the Ministry of Home Affairs to review security laws which have been used in certain
instances to arbitrarily detain individuals.
SUHAKAM was involved in the review of several legislations, which included the following:
the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, Harmony Bill,
Accommodation and Employees’ Housing Bill 2018 and Employees’ Housing Regulations
2018, Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 [Act 446] (WMS
Act), amendments to the Employment Act 1955 and Older Persons Bill. SUHAKAM
strongly urged the government to allow refugees to seek formal employment and
education in Malaysia and to ensure they are able to seek medical care based on
their needs, as opposed to their ability to pay, and not fear being arrested.
SUHAKAM also conducted a public inquiry into the disappearance of Pastor Raymond
Koh, social activist Amri Che Mat, Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth Sitepu since
2017. It is hoped that the publication of the report on the public inquiry into the
disappearances of Pastor Koh and Amri, will serve as a tool for future engagement with
relevant stakeholders and authorities, encourage discussions and serve as a catalyst
towards the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons
from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED).
SUHAKAM received complaints from Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak mainly
dealt with arrests, detention of persons, right to an adequate living, cruel, inhuman
and degrading treatment, right to nationality and rights to customary land. SUHAKAM
received complaints from migrant workers on matters related to minimum wage,
occupational hazards and exploitation of workers.
SUHAKAM is concerned with the existence and continued use of the “bucket system” in
prisons even to this day. SUHAKAM visited Taiping Prison and Penang Prison in 2018. Sadly,
the old prison buildings were often dilapidated and found to have been constructed
of unsuitable or sub-standard building material. SUHAKAM will continue to engage
with the relevant agencies/authorities to end the bucket system in the old prisons and
recommend other improvements.
SUHAKAM
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
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